Vinyl records are more popular than ever. Their distinctive sound, and immersive, tactile listening experience has solidified the format as the ultimate way to own music. When properly looked after, your vinyl record collection will last a lifetime and beyond, and a huge part of this is keeping your vinyl clean. Most importantly of all, clean vinyl records sound amazing, … Read More
Best Record Cleaning Machines
If you’re the proud owner of a large vinyl record collection, or you want to step up your record cleaning game, a record cleaning machine is one of the best investments you can make. Yes, they require some investment up-front, but in the name of priceless record preservation and the pursuit of audio nirvana, they are worth every penny. There … Read More
Pro-Ject VC-S3 Review – Better than the Compact Edition?
Similarly to the new Pro-Ject VC-E2, the larger VC-S3 promises several upgrades. But does the larger model have the edge over its more compact counterpart? Is it better at cleaning vinyl records? Pro-Ject’s flagship vacuum record cleaning machine has undergone several upgrades over the years, moving from a simple MDF construction to the much more durable aluminum chassis we know … Read More
Top Record Cleaning Tools Every Vinyl Enthusiast Should Own
Keeping your vinyl records clean is one of the most important aspects of collecting music on wax. It not only ensures that your records will sound great, but it also affects how long they will last – and, how long your stylus will last. Like any process in life, you’ll need the right tools for the job. Below is a … Read More
Pro-Ject VC-E2 Review – A Better Design?
The original Pro-Ject VC-E allowed record collectors with limited space to enjoy the benefits of owning a vacuum record cleaning machine. Living in a home where space comes at a premium, the VC-E was a breath of fresh air as I’d long been eyeing up how I could fit the original larger design (or an Okki Nokki equivalent) somewhere in … Read More
Best Ultrasonic Record Cleaners for Super-Clean Vinyl
Ultrasonic cleaning for vinyl records has grown immensely in popularity over recent years. The practice is a mainstay of the jewelry industry, favored for its ability to clean intricate, small crevices at a microscopic level. Ultrasonic works by using high-frequency pressure sound waves to agitate a liquid, producing tiny cavitation bubbles. Lots of tiny bubbles produce forces that help to … Read More
How to Use a Record Brush – Avoid Damage!
The humble carbon fiber record brush is an essential accessory for any turntable. If you don’t already own one, you should change that pretty quickly and start incorporating one into your daily playback routine. It’s good practice to use one before and after each play, as this will help to prevent dust and dirt building up into a bigger problem … Read More
How NOT to clean vinyl records
Great vinyl records are clean vinyl records, that much is well understood. But with so much advice available on the internet, how can you determine which cleaning methods lead to vinyl nirvana, and which ones lead to frustration and regret? We’ve covered plenty of tried and tested cleaning methods at Sound Matters, but this article is different. This time, we’ll be … Read More
How Often Should You Clean Vinyl Records
Cleaning vinyl records is a necessary part of the vinyl hobby. For some, it puts them off record collecting entirely, while for others, it’s all part of the tactile nature of the format and a large part of its appeal. In essence, restoring an old record can be very rewarding. But how often should you clean vinyl records? Is there … Read More
How to Clean Vinyl Records with Soap & Water? (Don’t do it!)
I’ll cut right to the chase; don’t do it. You’ll find countless articles on how to clean vinyl records with soap and water online, and I’m here to explain why that might not be such a wise idea. Sure, we all want clean vinyl records, free of pesky pops and clicks – that much is a given. But what if … Read More
